Agenda - Planning Commission - 09/15/2003 - Special Meeting

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PACT Charter School - Site Plan September 12, 2005 Page 4 of 8 Architectural Standards: The proposed TC-3 District requires buildings to be 2-3 stories in height. You are proposing a aa'o-story building Ibr the school, l_n accordance with stared goals of the Town Center project, you nave submitted de,ruled [nrbrmation regarding archkecmre of the school building. You are proposing to-uriiize earth tone precast concrete panels on the south, ,,vest, and east facades. The facades will utilize i6 inch by 16 inch scoring patterns and exposed ag~egate to accent the panels. The north side of the building, which will serve as the "fi'ont door" of the school, will incorporate brick, split face concrete block, and glass in the exterior. You are showing an angled canopy that helps define the entrance and gives the elevation some angles to break up the width of the building. You are also showing ua~o glass-encmsed stairwells which, besides providing an aesthetically pleasing component of the building, also provides ~br another break along the width of the building. I.n reviewing the architecture for the proposed building, Staff has used the latest draft of the Town Center Development Guidelines. The following comments relate to the design elements contained in the Guidelines. TC-$ 3uiiding Design. Chczracrer, ~nd ff:c?'esaion: ~-~e. Guidelines stare the buildings in the TC-3 District should emphasize transparency at the street level and have a bJgh level of interest ar the upper levels. The nomh elevation appears to do this with the different uses of materials and the presence of iarge amount of glass on the first and second kvel. The Guidelines also state that large, continuous facades should be avoided. Once again, the north elevation has several elements that add archimcmral interest to the width of ti, e fagade. The south, east, and west fac. ados have diversity by the articulation ,of the building, the inclusion of ground and second floor windows, and the use of canopies above the entgm/ays. The Guideiine's statement about distinct archkecrural features ar street intersections is hard to apply in r, he school's c~e since the building will not be located right on a street comer. However, staff would like to explore the possibility of adding some archkectural dement on all four comers to attempt to meet the intern of the Guidelines. Finally, the Guidelines state that facades should express recessed doors and windows. The addition of the canopies provides the appem'ance of recessed doors and windows. Staff would like to explore the possibiliv oi~ adding some more recessed windows along the east and west elevations due to their visibilky from Ramsey Blvd. and Peridot St. respectively. TC-3 Street Prexence: The Guidelines state that the architectural element should emphasize the street experience .~br the pedestrian. Staff feels that the north elevation, which would have the majority of pedestrian interface, meets this goal. It should also be noted that all of the entryways have canopies which will engage the pedestrian and/or visitor. The Guidelines require that all smwice entrances and loading facilities should be hidden from street view. This is accomplished by locating these areas on the southern part of the building, away from the public streets. Finally, the Guidelines state that the fa?nde along primary, streets should have at least 60% transparency. The School has frontage along two primary, streets, Ramsey Parkway and Ramsey Blvd. Along Ramsey Parkway (north elevation), this requirement is being met. It does appear to staff that the frontage along Ramsey Blv& (east elevation) is below this 60% threshold. However, a mitigating factor is the distance of the building from Ramsey Blvd. (205 feet to the right-of-way) and the presence of the play=o-round equipment and a parking lot Therefore, Staff feels that the Guidelines regarding transparency should not apply to the eastern 'elevation. 38